What can you cook from squid: quick and tasty
As you know, taste preferences depend on the place of residence. For example, those peoples who live on the coast are very fond of seafood and fish. Most even eat slightly unusual seafood like shark meat. There are approximately three hundred known shark species in total, and they are all edible despite differences in lifestyle, behavior and diet. But most often they eat the gray shark, herring shark, soup shark, leopard shark, fox shark, mako, galeus and katran.
The leader in the use of shark meat for food is Japan, where millions of tons of these fish are caught. They are canned, eaten fresh, salted, smoked or dried. And shark fin soup is a favorite Japanese delicacy, known all over the world. The fins are soaked in water for a long time, then poured with wine and broth and steamed. True, shark fins are practically invisible in this dish and give it only a slight flavor.
Shark fins have been popular in China since the Middle Ages. In those days, the skill of Chinese chefs was determined by their ability to cook shark fins deliciously. The Chinese also used other parts of this fish for food: for example, they prepared very unusual dishes from shark lips, stewed with chicken, bamboo and trepangs.
The most unusual shark meat dish is prepared in Iceland. It is called hakarl, for which they take the meat of the Greenlandic polar shark (poisonous species) and bury it in the ground for a couple of months. Then it is taken out and dried. It turns out to be an Icelandic popular delicacy, an excellent beer snack.
The herring shark is popular in Italy for its tender white meat, which is usually added to salads. This Atlantic shark species reaches a length of six meters, but smaller individuals, about three meters, are usually used for food. It is eaten in other European countries as well as in the USA. In England, they eat katran meat fried with potatoes. Hammerhead sharks are often passed off as tuna, swordfish or sturgeon. So, even in ancient times, Turkish fishmongers, knowing about the prejudiced attitude of Russians towards sharks, sold katran balyks, saying that they were sturgeon.
Shark meat is used to make fish sticks, which often include swordfish on their packaging. And if you add food coloring to the meat, you get salmon. Only in Japan there is no need to use different tricks, because shark meat is a delicacy there.
Shark meat, although edible, is not harmless. First, it contains a small amount of mercury, so it is not recommended for pregnant women and children. Secondly, the shark has an unpleasant taste and smell of ammonia, which can be eliminated after soaking in vinegar, milk, or lemon juice. During cooking, the specific smell also disappears. As a rule, the smaller the individual, the tastier it is.
There are varieties that are tastier than others. For example, the ghost shark requires almost no pretreatment, it has a pleasant taste that is difficult to distinguish from the taste of hake. Of course, provided that the meat is fresh.
Minced meat is prepared from large sharks, which is then added to various dishes. And it is better not to eat dark shark meat; it is usually used to make fodder shark meal.
Shark meat also has useful qualities: it contains calcium, copper, iodine, many vitamins and proteins. But because of mercury, which negatively affects the nervous system, many refuse this delicacy. But in a shark there is practically no fat - one hundred and fifty grams of meat contains only a hundred calories.
Sharks are caught with a special durable nylon line that can be up to nine miles long. Three hundred baited hooks are fixed on it. It is unprofitable to catch these fish with nets, as they easily break the nets and never swim in schools. The caught shark must be immediately gutted and bled, otherwise the meat will have an unpleasant odor. Then the carcass is frozen, and when delivered to the shore, the body is cut around the head and on the back and the skin is removed. Fillets are washed thoroughly and frozen.
Due to the constant fishing of sharks in Japan, their population began to decline. Some species of these fish are slowly but surely disappearing. The hammerhead shark was particularly hard hit, with numbers declining by almost ninety percent over the past two decades. Fox sharks, blue sharks, white and tiger sharks are disappearing. The most annoying thing is that most often these fish are caught only for the sake of fins, and not because of the meat. Fins are much more expensive and better bought. To save space on fishing vessels, the fins of the caught sharks are cut off, after which the poor fish are thrown into the sea. They will no longer be able to survive - either they will go to the bottom or become victims of other predators. In connection with this situation, some countries have introduced a ban on fishing sharks for the sake of fins.
Shark meat is eaten by many different peoples. As a rule, they live on the sea coasts and one of the main sources of income (and sometimes food), for them is fishing. These countries primarily include the countries of Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America.
Today, more than 300 species of sharks are known, however, not many of them will delight lovers of fish dishes with the taste of their meat. The meat of almost all sharks is edible, with the exception of: polar shark, blacktip sawtooth shark, seven-gill shark, comb-toothed shark, white shark and hammerhead shark. The liver is the most toxic and it is highly discouraged to eat it as a shark of an unknown species, poisoning can occur within 30 minutes. So, the meat of almost all sharks is edible, but despite this, only a few species have acquired commercial value. These include the herring shark, gray-blue shark (longtip mako), katran shark species, soup shark, leopard shark, common and big-eyed fox sharks.
Japan is the leader in the processing and consumption of shark meat. Millions of tons of sharks of various species are caught in this country every year. On the shelves of Japanese supermarkets, you can easily find shark meat not only fresh, but also smoked, canned and even dried. One of the delicacies in restaurants with a fish menu is shark fin soup.
Shark fin soup is a separate topic of conversation that should be covered in more detail. The annual growth of the Chinese economy leads to a constant increase in demand for shark fins (on average about 5% per year). This is due to the fact that at corporate receptions and banquets, shark fin soup is a symbol of luxury and well-being, emphasizing the status of the host. About 95% of all harvested shark fins are sold in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The black market for shark fin is estimated to be multi-billion dollar and one of the most closed and secret. Smuggling fins up to 20,000 each are seized annually. The worst part of all this is that the fins are cut off from live sharks pulled onto the deck and then thrown back into the sea without fins (check out this terrible footage: http://youtu.be/eZrhEO5u3PQ). The number of sharks is rapidly decreasing every year. More than 100 million sharks are caught annually, most of which are caught solely for the sake of their fins. Think well before ordering shark fin soup. Only the lack of demand for shark fin soup can stop the extermination of these beautiful marine predators, of which there are not so many left.
There are many popular recipes in Chinese cuisine that are made with shark meat. Italians love to cook salads with the addition of herring shark meat, so its meat is considered the most valuable in this country. In England, a popular dish consisting of fried shark meat of the katran family with potatoes. Fish oil used as vitamin A has long been obtained from shark liver.
Shark meat, like the meat of other marine fish, is also rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, eating shark meat is not recommended for children under 16 and pregnant women, because it contains a lot of mercury.
As a rule, before cooking shark meat dishes, it is subjected to preliminary preparation, which consists in boiling or soaking in milk or specially prepared water with the addition of vinegar or citric acid. If this is neglected, then your meals can be spoiled by the bitter taste and unpleasant smell of ammonia. The only exceptions are herring and katran shark species, the meat of which is simply enough to pre-soak in cold water.
Minced meat is usually made from the meat of great sharks, because it has very large fibers.
Sep 22, 2011 Marina
Everyone knows what a great white shark is, but only a few know that it has another name, namely karcharodon... She is not only the largest shark, but also the most bloodthirsty of all representatives of this genus. An adult can grow up to 8 meters. Many call her “ white death"Because these predators very often attack bathers.
The shark lives in temperate or warm waters of the World Ocean, and swims at a depth of about 30 meters. The shark's back is not white, but rather gray, but sometimes lead-gray. Its abdomen is off-white, while the dorsal fin is black. Only large individuals are completely lead-white.
Most often, a white shark looks after its prey, slowly cruising near the sea surface. Due to the fact that her eyesight is poorly developed, she goes hunting in the daytime. But sight is not the main way to search for prey, because Karcharodon still has a keen hearing and a keen sense of smell. It should be noted that the "white death" picks up sound signals at a distance of several kilometers. This shark can smell fresh blood and smell emanating from frightened fish for half a kilometer.
The favorite food of the great white shark is the fur seal, which lives off the coast of South Africa. Smaller individuals hunt small fish such as tuna, dolphins or turtles. Having reached 3 meters, the shark switches to the larger inhabitants of the ocean.
How to choose
When shopping, pay attention to the appearance of the shark meat piece. It should be fairly large, with cartilage in the middle. Determining whether a shark is in front of you or not is very simple, since its distinguishing feature is the absence of rib bones, as well as visible individual vertebrae that are located in the cartilaginous spine.
How to store
It should be noted that white shark meat is perishable, therefore it is important that its carcass is butchered no later than 7 hours after catch. Then it is salted, pickled or simply frozen. Processed meat can be stored in the refrigerator for quite a long time.
Reflection in culture
Karl Linnaeus was the first to give the scientific name to the white shark Squalus carcharias... This happened in 1758. However, other names have been assigned to this species more than once. In 1833 Sir Andrew Smith gave the name Carcharodon, which translated from Greek means "tooth" and "shark". The last and more modern name was given to the shark after it was transferred from the genus Squalus to Carcharodon.
These predators belong to the herring shark family, which, in turn, are divided into several genera - Lamna, Carcharodon and Isurus. The only surviving species is Carcharodon carcharias.
Calorie content of shark meat
A raw shark is distinguished by a high content of proteins and fats, its caloric content is 130 kcal per 100 g (in a katran shark - 142 kcal). The calorie content of a breaded shark is 228 kcal. The dish is fatty and is not recommended for consumption in large quantities for everyone who is overweight.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
Benefits of Great White Shark Meat
Composition and presence of nutrients
Like any other ocean fish, the shark contains a huge amount of macro and micronutrients. They are part of the complex of substances that make up the living protoplasm of cells. They are very important because they normalize the functioning of the human body. Meat contains vitamins of groups A and B, as well as copper, phosphorus, calcium and iodine salts.
Useful and medicinal properties
Shark Liver is a mobile nature pharmacy. This is what many experts call her. This is due to the fact that it contains such important substances as alkylglycerol and squalene... Everyone knows that the latter is a natural antibiotic that is very similar to ampicillin, but it is much stronger. Another difference is that squalene does not cause any side effects. Treatment with a drug from this substance leads to the complete elimination of inflammation, infections and even the most resistant types of fungi.
Alkiglycerol is an immunostimulant, and very effective. It actively fights cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, and also normalizes the activity of the circulatory system. It should be noted that it is thanks to this that the preparations based on shark fat show such remarkable results in the fight against diseases that are associated with disorders in the functioning of the immune system. Such diseases can be: asthma, allergies, cancer and even HIV infection.
Any remedy made from the fat of this predator resists the development of atherosclerosis. They relieve harsh cough, rheumatism, significantly reduce arthritis pain. With their help, blood pressure is normalized and the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes mellitus and heart attack is noticeably reduced.
In cooking
Many believe that it is the white shark who periodically bites a person, but in fact the situation is completely different. In reality, it is sharks who suffer at the hands of humans. In nature, there are 350 species of these predators and 80% of them can be completely exterminated because of the desire to taste their delicious meat.
In order to make the meat more tasty and aromatic, it must be properly processed. Immediately after the catch, the shark is gutted and skinned, and then the dark meat is removed from the side lines. Then rinse thoroughly and chill on ice. Processed fillets are used to make cutlets, steaks and schnitzels.
This terrifying predator makes an excellent aspic. Balyks and other hot smoked products are also good. Meat is fried, pickled, smoked, dried and even canned.
Dangerous properties of white shark meat
Nowadays, the water in the world's oceans is subject to severe pollution, from which its inhabitants suffer. Fish living in polluted areas are capable of accumulating various harmful substances in their body, such as mercury and heavy metal salts. Studies have shown that white shark meat is prone to mercury build-up. It is obvious that the consumption of such meat will cause colossal harm to health. Such meat has a particularly strong effect on expectant mothers and during breastfeeding. High levels of mercury have a negative effect on the developing brain cells of a growing child.
The white shark is an extremely dangerous inhabitant of the underwater world. It causes not only fear, but also a huge amount of speculation, which is not always supported by facts. You will learn more detailed information about this predator in this video.
Wondering if there are sharks in the Black Sea? And it's not even about horror films from childhood, but about the most common human concern for one's life and health.
Are sharks found in the Black Sea?
The answer to such a question can instill fear of ignorant people, because this answer: "Yes", and this is a scientifically proven fact.
What predators live?
You can breathe out - the sharks that live in the waters of the Black Sea are practically not dangerous for humans because of their small size and caution. During the day, they hide in the depths and do not interfere with their presence on vacation.
When meeting with fishermen, the Black Sea sharks do not attack them, but go to the bottom.
In addition to sharks, there are other dangerous ones in the Black Sea:
- Jellyfish... The danger is the cornerot, it can quite seriously sting a person with its poison;
- Sea ruff or scorpion fish. Has clawed teeth and poisonous glands located on the fins;
- Sea dragon... The seemingly harmless fish has poisonous glands next to the thorn on the operculum and on the first dorsal fin, which is a great danger to humans;
- Stingray stingray... On its tail there is a sharp thorn, which can grow up to 35 cm. The injection of this protective element is very painful.
Unfavorable living environment
The Black Sea is unfavorable for the life of large sharks dangerous to humans for a number of reasons. At a depth of about 60-70 meters, the Black Sea waters contain hydrogen sulfide which is not suitable for the breathing of most shark species.
And one more fact why there are no dangerous sharks in the Black Sea. Due to the lack of diversity and quantity of marine fauna, large predators simply nothing to eat in the Black Sea. The slightly salted waters of the Black Sea are not suitable for the life of large sharks that got into it from.
Black Sea views of thunderstorms of the seas - photo
Only two species of sharks.
Katran
Also called dogfish or the Black Sea shark - the most famous predator of the Black Sea. The main feature of this shark is the spines on the fins, which are intended for protection. They are covered in poisonous mucus. There are cases when a person could suffer from this shark during the sorting of the catch, injuring himself on poisonous thorns.
Katrans do not like single voyages and prefer to stray into common flocks.
The katran has a streamlined elongated shape, this allows you to develop great speed... These sharks live at a depth of up to 40 meters, a little deeper in summer, as they prefer water with a temperature of 14-15 degrees. An adult katran is no more than 160 cm long and lives for 25 years. Prefers herring, horse mackerel, squid and even octopuses for food. Avoids meeting a person.
Feline
Cat shark is also known as scillium... It has a rather small size - on average 60-70 cm. The body of the shark is covered with spots, which makes it similar to the representatives of the feline species. It hunts in shallow waters, feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Due to its size, it is often included in the diet of larger brethren. It usually lives at a depth of 80-100 meters.
This nocturnal predator perfectly sees in darkness... During the day, he prefers to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Basically, this species of shark lives along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea, from where it enters the Black Sea through the Bosphorus during the migration period.
Blue, prickly and dwarf sharks can be found in the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Where is it - read in.
Sea killers and attacks on humans
Most of the claims that dangerous sharks are found in the Black Sea are related to fishing tales. And they are among the most mysterious and dangerous species of sharks in the World Ocean.
Goblin shark
Differently goblin shark... Perhaps the oldest and least studied shark species on the planet. The only deep sea shark. Scientists have come across the bones of a goblin shark 80 million years old.
This fish acquired such an ominous name for a reason. The goblin has a large, sensitive projection on the nose, which does not add to its attractiveness, and a movable jaw that protrudes far forward at the sight of prey. It prefers a depth of more than 300 meters and never rises to the surface. Meets enough rarely and was considered an extinct species for many years.
Compared to the Black Sea sharks, the goblin has an impressive size. The length of an adult is more than 3 meters.
Even the color of this shark remains a mystery, presumably it is pink, but if the shark dies, it changes to brown.
The shark has some interesting features:
- Electroreception... That is, it is able to perceive electrical impulses from the environment. This helps her to find food in the dark depths of the sea;
- She has another ability of deep-sea fish - her eyes glow in the dark greenish light.
The goblin feeds on shellfish and fish. Inhabited by a shark in all oceans except for the North-Arctic, preferring warm and temperate waters. Most often found off the coast of Japan.
In December 2010, the media reported that in the Black Sea in the area of fishermen was caught goblin shark. Nobody except the shark itself was hurt. There were photos, video reports, interviews. However, experts considered the information a "duck". How dangerous the goblin shark really is is also not known.
White torpedo
Shark eater... The name speaks for itself. It is one of the largest carnivores on the planet. Its length reaches 7 meters. With its enormous size, the shark is quite intelligent and curious, it has a well-developed sense of smell, which allows it to smell prey several kilometers away.
Shark shape resembles torpedo, which allows her to reach speeds of up to 24 kilometers per hour. It can dive to a depth of over 1000 meters. White sharks live for 60 years. Adults feed on large fish, seals, sea lions, cephalopods, and can attack other sharks and even whales.
The great white shark has gained a reputation as a killer due to numerous incidents of attacks on humans. This shark lives in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
According to scientists, the hit of white sharks from the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosphorus is quite probably, but they will not swim far from the strait and the shores - changes in water temperature in winter and summer are not suitable for them.
Great white sharks are thermophilic - they live in waters heated from +12 to +24 degrees.
Here are some cases of the appearance of white sharks near the Black Sea from the world of news:
- v 2008 and 2009 years in the Dardanelles Strait, fishermen from Turkey came across cubs of white sharks in the nets;
- in July 2011 1 year old Turkish fishermen caught a juvenile great white shark in the same region;
- in September 2016 all the same fishermen found a school of white sharks in the Bosphorus off the coast.
Blue sea queen
This shark species got its name from its unusual gray-blue color... In size more modest than white, adults reach 4 meters. This species lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Prefers temperate and calm waters.
The blue shark is an excellent hunter, loves small fish, and can attack waterfowl in coastal waters. This fish is color-blind, but possesses phenomenal sense of smell.
The blue shark has a complicated relationship with humans. In Malaysia, the blue shark is a commercial fish and it is from there that it gets to the tables of gourmets from different countries. But the predator herself does not remain in debt. Attack probability especially great in the vastness of the open ocean.
Less often, unwary bathers in warm lagoons can be attacked by blue sharks.
On April 12, 2015, in southern Florida, a blue shark attack on a photographer was recorded, costing only a bit through his forearm. According to the victim, he himself provoked shark in pursuit of the perfect shot.
And in this video you can find out a little more about one of the Black Sea sharks:
Shark is the oldest living creature on our planet. The progenitors of modern sharks existed on earth in prehistoric times, when there could be no talk of any people. In part, this explains a certain piety and awe that we experience in front of these fish. Although most shark species are harmless to humans, the mere mention of them is enough to make us tremble and panic.
Indeed, many myths and legends have developed around sharks. The most famous of these is due to the fact that extracts from their cartilage and fins help fight cancer. But there is not so much objective information on the benefits and harms of shark meat in the public domain. And this despite the fact that in many regions of the world, the shark has been considered a commercial fish since time immemorial, its extraction is carried out on an industrial scale, the meat is used for food, and fertilizers are produced from the processed viscera.
Let's try to the best of our modest strengths and capabilities to fill this gap and talk about the main properties of shark meat as a food product.
The benefits of shark meat
Any shark is a predator, although most species are limited to hunting plankton and small fish. However, such a diet has a characteristic effect on the chemical composition of shark meat, which looks very attractive.
The main value of shark meat, according to scientists, is its high protein content. With a caloric content that ranges from 125-130 kcal, 100 grams contains almost 21 g of protein. Moreover, the fat content does not exceed 5 g, and carbohydrates are completely absent. This makes shark meat an excellent dietary product, valuable from an energy point of view.
When discussing the benefits and harms of shark meat, one cannot but say that it contains a full complex of vitamin B, as well as niacin, which is extremely necessary for our body for normal life. But vitamin C and carotene in shark meat are completely absent, which must be taken into account when drawing up therapeutic diets using this product. But shark liver is a source of especially valuable fish oil, which contains a large amount of vitamin A and omega-3 acid.
Shark meat is a large collection of minerals useful for humans. In addition to sodium (79 mg per 100 g of product), potassium (160 mg) and calcium (34 mg), it contains zinc, iron, chlorine, copper and even selenium. A particularly high concentration is characteristic of phosphorus - 210 mg, in such quantities this substance is not contained in any food product we are used to. The lack of these microelements leads to a weakening of the immunity of our body, as well as disruption of some vital functions.
Thus, the positive characteristics of shark meat as a food product are undeniable and not questioned by anyone. However, unfortunately, in certain circumstances, shark meat can be not only beneficial, but also harmful.
Negative properties of shark meat
So, quite a lot has been said about the benefits, but what is the harm of this product and in what cases should you avoid using it? It was already mentioned above about shark liver, which contains important vitamins and amino acids. But, at the same time, do not forget that in any living organism, the liver acts as a filter that removes harmful substances from other organs. Some studies show shark liver contains high amounts of mercury... This heavy metal, getting into the human body, can seriously harm it, so you need to be very careful when using such a delicacy.
Another fact, interesting from the point of view of the benefits and harms of shark meat, is that this product has the ability to accumulate toxic substances in itself for long-term storage. This circumstance explains the fact that it is recommended to eat shark meat only fresh. In no case should it be frozen, because after that no, even the most thorough processing will allow to remove toxins dangerous to health and life from meat.
Considering the benefits and harms of shark meat, its not recommended for use in large quantities for children, whose immune system has not yet been formed, as well as women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This group also includes people suffering from allergic reactions to any seafood.